How to Heal from Past Pain
I’ve been reading this book titled “When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts’ by Cindi McMenamin. In the first chapter, she lays out an exercise to review past hurts and how these events can have a positive impact on your life.
It was a beautiful revelation. The exercise tugs at your heart strings as you reflect pivotal moments where tears were spilt from a broken heart. But the process also shows healing from these events.
I share a few experiences, as they gave me strength and determination to pursue options and never give up on my dreams.
I love being creative. My ultimate career choice was to be a photographer. With excited anticipation, I enrolled at the Alberta College of Art.
The curriculum was set up where students had to do a foundation course in the first term before choosing a major, which didn’t include photography. I struggled in each class and was hesitant to share my art to be critiqued. However, in this one assignment, the instructor requested to use a symbol in various scenarios. I chose a butterfly in watercolour and created a collage with content. It was a piece I created from my heart and soul.
My friends encouraged me to put it up to be critiqued. I recall, my insides flipped like a whirlwind of anxiety, but with their encouragement, I hung it up. When the instructor approached my piece, I was shaking at what she might say. Her first few words were, ‘the student who created this piece didn’t care and put no effort into it.’ Her words were like shattered shard that ripped my heart to pieces. I locked myself in the bathroom and sobbed uncontrollably. The next day, I cleaned out my locker and quit, as I felt defeated.
I was forced to re-evaluate and signed up for journalism as photojournalism was part of the curriculum, and I loved to write. However, after a month in the program, I was called into the instructor’s office and told I had to withdraw from journalism as my grades weren’t good enough. I could attend the other classes but not journalism. It was another moment of shedding tears in a washroom.
I remained on a part time basis, learning the art of photography, but life shifted, as I became a single mom. I put my dreams of being a photographer on hold to take care of my son.
When my son was four, the Art College offered summer credit courses. I decided to enroll, more so, to prove I could present my pieces without fear and that I possessed the skill to pass. I passed with an -A and conquered my fear of presenting in front of others.
To prove I could write, I wrote a romance novel that received rave reviews from readers.
When my son was older, I was able to fulfill my dream of being a professional photographer and opened a home-based studio.
I reviewed each life event with a perspective of seeing God’s work in my life.
In the exercise, I learned He showed me determination to seek other options, follow the path as a mom, and not give up my dream as a professional photographer.
Today, God has blessed me with so much more. He has given me His peace. Despite the roller coaster ride of life, I know I can stand tall and courageous because He is with me. Moreover, He’s given me the ability to forgive those who have hurt me in the past and present.
This healing has grown through the power of prayer and wisdom in God’s word.
It’s in prayer that God works through you, heals, and guides you through the gift of the Holy Spirit. It brings results and His peace.
Are answers to prayers a coincidence—no.
As a reformed new ager, seeing signs/coincidences was a strong indicator you were on the right path. These signs were seen as repetitive numbers, an odd encounter with an animal or bird, guidance from oracle cards, or events in life that aligned perfectly.
God’s answer to prayer doesn’t come in the form of symbols or odd encounters with animals. If things are meant to be, they’ll align in absolute perfection, as God is behind the steering wheel. Life events are driven for a holy purpose to build a trusting relationship with Him and increase your faith.
Cindi McMernamin quotes:
‘God’s sole intention for my life is not to be happy. It’s to make me holy.’
With all things there is a process. Like the pains in life, grieving is a process. To forgive, is a process of a changed heart. Prayer is a process for God to mold you and bring change to old patterns.
Through prayer, God grants you wisdom through His grace. He gifts you with the right words and opportunities to elevate your perception of His forgiveness and unconditional love to those who choose to commune with Him.
Like Jesus, before us, He laid down the foundation for us to follow. His life of prayer shows the process of God’s teachings, moreover, His wisdom, healing, and forgiveness.
You may think God doesn’t see your tears, but He does. He knows your hurt and pain.
God’s love for us is as deep as the ocean and its expanse the heavenly stars above us. He gave His only Son so you could become close to Him. And yes, it’s in your suffering you become close to Him, as His Son suffered in sacrificing His life for your sins.
If I’d known God when I was attending Art College, I’d be blessed with His peace and not crippled with fear and insecurity. I’d have a forgiving heart, strength, and courage to not give up. But that was yesterday, not today...
I’ve witnessed God’s work in my life. He has taught me forgiveness. He has lifted the pain of darkness and replaced it with the light of His Son. For the first time in forever, I feel peace amidst adversity.
Life is a process. You learn from past mistakes, pain, and grief.
I pray for you to find healing and peace towards those who have hurt you, to not allow pain to prevent you from being the beautiful person God created, through the wisdom of His word and prayer.
Let’s Pray (based on a prayer by Cindi McMenamin in her book ‘When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts’)
Lord God, you have taken my brokenness, blessed me with strength, endurance, and a hopeful heart. You have gifted me with your peace—replaced my fear with confidence, as you walk before me and promise to never forsake me.
I realize my life is not my own—it’s yours to mold, guide, and lead into the light of your only Son, Jesus Christ. You have your reasons and design for how I can best serve you. I may not understand the reasons, however, I believe my journey has a purpose to heal, forgive, and be holy.
I trust the process.
You have my heart, my soul, and I surrender my all to you.
Hi, I’m Cathy.
A blogger, photographer, author, passionately driven to pointing people away from new age indoctrination to find redemption in Jesus Christ.
I’m a mixed blend, excited to share all I offer...
Blog-Twisted Roots
Do you find yourself asking questions about new age, whether the practices and beliefs are leading your soul to redemption?
As a reformed new ager, I was saturated in the belief I could co-create with the universe and manifest a life of abundance. But I was deceived. This blog is to point you to the truth of God’s words and how He perceives the new age indoctrination.
Fine Art Photography
I always dreamed of being a professional photographer when I grew up. It was a journey to reach this goal, but I did it!
I owned a home-based studio for over a decade but have been shooting images for two decades. Now, semi-retired, I have a collection of my most cherished images of landscape or nature available for wall décor.
